Musicians join forces to preserve London’s George Tavern


Ricky Wilson (Photo: Andy Crossland for Live4ever)

Ricky Wilson (Photo: Andy Crossland for Live4ever)




Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson, John Cooper Clarke and Lianne La Havas have united to throw their weight behind a campaign aiming to secure the future of London’s George Tavern.

Long-standing housing development plans close by have, according to campaigners, put the venue’s future in doubt as landlady Pauline Foster explained to the Evening Standard: “Six flats next to a pub and music venue, with events until 3am – it’s very obvious that anyone living there won’t be able to tolerate it,” she said.

“I would lose my license or it would be restricted and the George Tavern really needs its music to pay its way. If you don’t put up a fight, it’s easy for developers to get their way in this climate when people are being told there isn’t enough affordable housing.”

A spokesperson for the Swan Housing Association has dismissed these concerns however, telling the same paper that, ‘Substantial acoustic testing and analysis has been undertaken and every effort made in the design of the scheme to ensure minimal noise exposure for new residents’. This. however, hasn’t stopped more than 2,000 people registering their support via an online petition.

Check out a recent Live4ever feature on the future of small venues and the changing face of live music in the UK.


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